Collapsible carton



D. GOLDEN 2,484,085

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Oct. 11, 1949.

4 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Ma ch 20, 1946 FIGJ. 4

INVENTOR. DA V/D GoL DEN Oct. 11, 1949. GOLDEN COLLAPSIBLE CARTON 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 20, 1946 INVENTOR. .DA V/D G04 DE/V Oct. 11, 1949. D. GOLDEN 2,

COLLAPSIBLE CARTON Filed March 20, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. BA V/D G'oL DEN MM Z-H ATTIO 7 Oct. 11, 1949. D. GOLDEN COLLAPSIBLE CARTON 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 20, 1946 H m N TN M m T W HH G002 m Q D A w Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT- QOFFICE COLLAPSIBLE CARTON David Golden, New York, N. Y. Application March 20, 1946, Serial No. 655,748

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to cartons, particularly to collapsible egg cartons having a plurality of egg compartments or cells and set up either by machines or by hand.

One object of the invention is to provide a collapsible egg carton of the general type above referred to in which all eggs inserted in the car ton are protected against breakage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an egg carton in which inwardly or outwardly foldable end or side walls protect eggs placed in cells or compartments at either end of a carton.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved egg carton, all parts of which including the foldable end walls are formed by suitable folding and securing of a single blank.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved egg carton of the general type above referred to, which can be inexpensively manufactured, easily expanded for the insertion of eggs and conveniently collapsed for storage and re-use.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter and in the appended claims forming part'of the application.

In the accompanying drawings several now preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a scored blank of an egg carton according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a collapsible egg carton according to the invention in its expanded position.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the egg carton according to Fig. 2 in a collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is a section along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a scored blank of a modification of an egg carton according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an expanded egg carton made of the blank shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of an egg carton according to Fig. 6 in its collapsed position.

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional side view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an elevational side view of a cross partition of an egg carton according to Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, particularly to the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, there is shown in Fig. 1 a scored blank which may be produced by any suitable means, for instance by die-cutting.

ill

The blank when folded and secured forms a cover 55 2 ill, a rear wall H, a bottom wall 12 also constituting a longitudinal partition, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, a front wall I 3 and cross or transverse partitions 14. There are further provided end or side walls, each side wall being formed by two portions l5, l5 and I6 and I6 respectively, extending from the front wall section [3 and the rear wall section I I r Q actively of the blank. The various wall sections are defined or set oil by score or crease lines l1, l8, I9, 20, 2|, 22 and 23. Cover section II] is extended into a flap 24 in which are provided two hooks 25 employed to lock cover In when the carton is expanded. Each of the cross partitions l4 comprises two sections joined by a bridge 26, 21, respectively. The cross partitions are joined at 28 and 29 respectively, to front wall l3 and at 30 and 3| respectively, to a fastening or glue flap 32. Each of the inner edges of the two sections of a cross partition is provided with a fin 33, 34 respectively. These fins may have any suitable shape, such as the dove-tail shape shown in Fig. l. The fins are arranged to enter corresponding slots 35 and 36 respectively in bottom wall 12 when the carton is in an expanded position, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The sections of the cross partitions may have the approximately triangular shape shown in Fig. 1 but it should be understood that the partition sections may have any other suitable shape, for instance, the lower or top section of the triangles may be cut off.

Each cross partition has a recess 31 and 38 re-;

spectively, opposite the respective bridges 26 and 21. These recesses serve to secure the cross partitions in their positions on bottom wall l2. For this purpose, slots 39 and 40 respectively are provided in the bottom wall. The shape of slots 39 and 40 can best be seen in Fig. 5. These slots are bisected by a folding or crease line 4|. Each cross partition is provided with a folding or crease line 42 and 43 respectively, running through the center of the respective bridges 26 and 21. The partition sections themselves are not weakened by crease or folding lines. As previously mentioned, each side or end wall is formed by two portions l5, I5 and I 6, l6. These portions are so shaped that they overlap each other when the egg carton is assembled. Each portion has a folding or crease line 44,44 and 45, 45' respectively which are so positioned that respective folding lines are in registry when the portions are joined to form side walls.

Let it now be assumed that it is desired to assemble the carton. Then, the blank is folded along crease lines I1, l8, l9, 4|, 20, 2|, 22, and

23. Flap 32 is glued or otherwise fastened tothe upper edge of rear wall parallel to crease line I1, and portions I5, l and I8, I6 are also glued or otherwise fastened together so that their respective crease lines 44, 44' and 45, 46' are in registry. As a result, a carton will be formed having a front wall, a-rear wall. a bottom wall and two side walls. As can best be seen in Fig. 2, the bottom wall |2 by being folded along crease line 4| forms a longitudinal partition having walls as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exsloped toward the lower edges of rear wall and front wall l3 respectively. The sloped walls of. the longitudinal partition are preferably slightly curved, as can best be seen in Fig. 2, to accommodate the shape of eggs placed in the carton.. The front and rear wall are preferably so shaped that the rear wall is slightly higher than the front wall. It has been found that this shape of the carton has certain advantages when the carton is closed by bending flap 24 of cover In along folding line 46 and engaging locking hooks 25 with respective cross partitions l4. The registering folding lines 44, 44' and 45, 45' respectively of the side walls are so positioned that they are substantially in alignment with the apex of the longitudinal partition l2. Furthermore, the portions forming the side walls are shaped in such a manner that the upper edges thereof are sloped toward the respective folding lines and lower than the apex of the longitudinal partition at and near the folding lines of the side walls.

Let it be now assumed that it is desired to fiatten or collapse theegg carton assembly, as

' previously described, for storage or shipping purposes. The side walls are pushed inwardly and eeption that the egg carton according to Figs. 5 to 9 is intended for the insertion of one dogen eggs. Identical reference characters are therefore employed to designate corresponding parts.

, The main difference between the egg carton acfitted into the space between the sloped walls of longitudinal partition l2, as can best beseen in Fig. 3 or pushed outwardly. Then the front wall of the carton is simply placed against the rear wall. The cross partitions-will assume the positions as shown in Fig. 3 by folding along their respective creased lines 42 and 43 and by also being bent along their joining strips 26, and 29, 3| respectively. I

Let it now be assumed that it is desired to expand the carton and to ready it for the insertion of eggs. Then, the side walls are pushed outwardly until they are straightened out and rest against the edges of the sloped walls of partition l2, as can best be seen in Fig. 2. The

cross partitions are now set up either by hand or by machine and placed in the positions shown in Figs. 2 and-4 in which fins 33 and 34 enter the respective slots 35 and 36 respectively and the bridges 26 and 21 enter the respective top slots 39 and 46. As will be apparent, the comparatively stiif side walls protect eggs inserted in cells or compartments formed by the side walls and the adjacent cross partitions against breakage. Furthermore, the side walls brace the carton sufficiently against collapsing, thereby prevent--v ing breakage of inserted eggs, so that fins and slots for securing the cross partitions in their positions may be omitted, thereby reducing the costs of manufacture of an egg carton and facilitating the expansion and collapse thereof.

It should further be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular shape and arrangement of cross partitions, as shown in the drawings, butthat any other suitable shape and arrangement may be selected, as the principal feature of the invention resides in the provision of foldable side walls as previously explained.

It should also be noted that while the embodiment of the invention according to Figs. 1 to 4 as shown in Fig. 9 or any other-suitable shape which will separate and protect eggs inserted in the carton. There is provided at the inner edge of each section a fin 54 and 55 respectively, and at the outer edge of each section a fin 56 and 51 respectively. Each of the fins 54 and 55 has a downwardly extending portion and each of the fins 56 and 51 a wide portion and a narrow portion joining the wide fin portion to the respective section 5| or 52. Each partition wall 56 can be folded along a crease or folding line 58 provided at substantially the center of bridge 53, and each individual section 5| or 52 canbe folded along a folding or crease line 59 and 66 respectively, extending from a point substantially midway between the center of bridge 53' and the portions of these fins will secure an inserted cross partition 50 in the respective slots. The outer fins 56 and 51 are shaped and positioned to be inserted in open slots 6| and 62 respectively, 'provided in the rear wall section II and the front wall section |3 respectively of the blank forming the shell or container. Each of the slots 6| and 62 comprises a preferably narrow entrance section 6| and 62' respectively, extended into a wider substantially triangular section 6|" and 62" respectively. The vertical width of enlarged slot sections 6|" and 62" corresponds substantially to the width of the narrow portion of fins 56 and 51. In order to facilitate the insertion of one of the fins 56 or 51 in one of the slots 6|, recesses'63 are provided in cover section ll) of the blank in alignment with the entrance slot section 6| of the slots.

from both sides of the-folding line 4| of bottom part I2, folding line 4| forming the common base of two triangles. Slots 39 and 46 serve to receive bridge 53 of an inserted cross partition.

Let it now be assumed that the shell or container of the egg carton is assembled by folding the blank shown in Fig. 5 along the crease lines thereof and joining side wall portions 15, I5 and l6, IS.

A shell, thus formed, can be expanded by straightening the side walls formed by the respective wall portions or can be collapsed by pushing the respective wall portions into the space between the sloped walls of bottom section I2, as has been described in detail in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. In order to make the egg carton ready for use the shell is expanded and cross partitions 50 are inserted by slipping the fins thereof into the respective slots. As will be observed from Figs. 6 and 8, the plane of the individual fins is vertical to the longitudinal axis of the carton when the carton is in its expanded position.

When it is now desired to collapse the carton, the side walls are pushed between the sloped walls of the bottom section l2 forming the longitudinal partition of the carton and the front wall of the carton is pressed against the rear wall. FOlding lines 58, 59 and 60 of the cross partitions will permit such collapse of the carton, and the fins will pivot in their respective slots until they reach positions in which they are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carton. Fig. '7 shows the position of the various parts in the collapsed position of the carton.

In order to lock cover l securely when the carton is expanded, comparatively narrow slots 25' are provided in flap 24 of the cover which are shaped and positioned to engage the upper edges of corresponding cross partitions or fins 51.

As will appear from the previous description and an examination of the drawings, the comparatively stiff side or end walls, the only folding line of which (44, 44' and 45, 45') is located between the sloped walls of partition l2, protect eggs inserted in cells or compartments adjacent to the side walls against breakage. Eggs placed in these adjacent cells are further protected by tongues 65, 65' and 66 and 66' provided in side wall portions l5, l and I6, I6 respectively, adjacent to the folding lines thereof. These tongues will extend substantially parallel to rear wall II and front wall l3 and substantially vertical to the side walls when the carton is assembled as can be clearly seen in Figs. 6 and '7, thereby forming cushions. These cushions will protect the cartons and particularly the side walls thereof against pressure when the carton are stacked in shipping boxes. The cushioning effect can be further improved by extending the edges H! of cover I0 slightly beyond the vertical plane of the side walls, as can best be seen in Fig. 6, so that the outer edges III are in substantially the same plane a the outer edges of the tongues.

Provisions may be made for for dividing the carton into two cartons each containing six eggs. This can be accomplished by weakening the carton along a dividing strip 61 which may be torn out. The slots for the cross partitions then of course must be positioned in such a manner that the cross partitions adjacent to the dividing strip will form side walls. Fig. 5 clearly shows such positions of the slots and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the location of the various parts in a divisible carton.

It will be understood from the previous description that the cushioning means which have been described in connection with the embodiment of the invention as shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive may also be applied to the embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain now preferred examples and embodiments of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible egg carton of the type described comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall forming a longitudinal partition having sloped wall portions joined to the front wall and the rear wall, foldable side walls joined to the front wall and the rear wall, said foldable side walls being shaped and positioned to be fitted between the sloped wall portions of the bottom wall section when the carton is in its collapsed position, and to abut against the lateral edges of the bottom wall when the carton is expanded,each of said foldable side walls being composed of two wali portions, one extending from the front wall section and the other from the rear wall section, a, tongue member extending outwardly from each side wall, and a cover, said cover being extended beyond the side walls to form together with the respective tongue members a protective cushion for eggs placed adjacent to the side walls.

2. A collapsible egg carton of the type described comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall forming a longitudinal partition having sloped walls and joined to the front wall and the rear wall, foldable side walls joined to the front wall and the rear wall, said foldable side walls being shaped and positioned to be fitted between the sloped walls of the bottom wall when the carton is in its collapsed position, and cross partitions having fins arranged to engage corresponding slots in the front wall and the rear wall for removably securing the cross partitions to the said walls, each cross partition having a folding line beginning substantially in alignment with the apex of the longitudinal partition and other folding lines beginning at the top of each cross partition on both sides of the longitudinal part1- tion at a point substantially midway between the apex of the longitudinal partition and the front wall and the rear wall respectively and extending in a substantially straight line toward the line at which the sloped walls of the longitudinal partition are joined to the front wall and the rear wall respectively to permit the said walls and partitions to be flattened against each other and to be expanded into egg-receiving compartments.

3. A collapsible egg carton of the type described made of a single blank folded and fastened to produce a bottom wall section forming a longitudinal partition having sloped walls and continued to form a front wall section and a rear wall section, foldable side wall sections joining the front wall and the rear wall section, each of said foldable side wall sections being composed of two wall portions, one extending from the front wall section and the other from the rear wall section, said foldable side wall sections being shaped and positioned to be fitted between the sloped wall portions of the bottom wall section when the carton is in its flattened position, cross partitions joined to the front wall section to form cells in the space between the longitudinal partition and together with the respective tongue members a 10 protective cushion for eggs placed adjacent to V the sidewall sections.

- DAVID) I REFERENCES CITE! The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Keys Apr. 21, 1908 Scotcher Apr. 12, 1921 Reich Nov. 13, 1934 Cox Apr. 14, 1936 Walsh Apr. 2'7, 1937 Shapiro Apr. 26, 1938 Walsh Nov. 20, 1945 

